Beat the Heat: Florida police battling street racing by... racing?!
Police officers around the country routinely put their lives on the line in an effort to keep our streets safe. Officers in South Florida have come up with a way to make city streets a safer place and have a bit of fun at the same time; by drag racing at the track. A bad street racing problem that was endangering the lives of law abiding citizens when a plan was hatched to set up monthly "Beat the Heat" drags between the fuzz and street racers at Miami's Countyline Dragway. Everyone from former street racers to moms and dads are paying the $25 to line up against Johnny Law.
The "Beat the Heat" program has drastically cut down the amount of drag racing on the Florida streets, while also fostering a better relationship between racers and officers. And "Beat the Heat" isn't just in Florida. There are police drag racing programs in other areas of the country, including Chattanooga, Tennessee. If making nice with cops isn't your idea of fun, you can still test your skills against the king of all drag cars; the Crown Victoria police interceptor. Where do we sign up?
[Source: Officer]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
paul34 4:16PM (5/02/2009)
Good. This the type of original thinking we need to see more of.
Around here, don't be surprised if that riced out Civic or bad ass modded STI that pulls up next to you races you, and then you suddenly see red and blue in your rearview mirror. It's not uncommon to use seized vehicles as bait for racers.
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Aprime 4:31PM (5/02/2009)
That's so wrong.
You don't try to stop crime by inciting it, ffs.
That's like having police being undercover in a black neighbored posing as total racists to provoque people into fighting/commiting criminal acts, or have them promote drug use only to arrest the people that attempt to buy drugs from them.
paul34 5:25PM (5/02/2009)
Well, can't say I agree with it. Just a warning =)
Beau 6:08PM (5/02/2009)
"ood. This the type of original thinking we need to see more of. "
They did something like this many years ago in San Diego.
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-80339956.html
I participated in it a few times - the local television media made a big deal about how it had the support of the police and how many cops raced in their personal vehicles
WinterTiger 9:24PM (5/02/2009)
Well, apparently I've misread the legal side of things about what you're talking about, since last I checked if the cop pulls up and actively initiates the race by signalling you in whatever fashion, you can get off on an entrapment defense. Of course if he just guns his engine and you're the first one to take off, you're gonna get nailed... Just give whatever you're about to run against a quick once over for any suspicious light housings, etc before you put the pedal down.
paul34 10:07PM (5/02/2009)
Or just keep the racing to the track.
paul34 4:16PM (5/02/2009)
Oh, forgot to mention I am in Orlando.
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De 5:28PM (5/02/2009)
I figured with the name paul34 you were in Boston.
turbo-quattro 4:27PM (5/02/2009)
Colorado State Patrol has a Honda Civic Si on nitrous, I think you can race it at Bandimere Raceway at the weekly Test & Tune.
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big.bryant183 6:15PM (5/02/2009)
Yeah I saw this last week at Bandimere. Too bad all the people that tried to drive it were terrible at it!
They also had a C4 Corvette that was tricked out in all the police gear (lights, loudspeaker, etc).
RedGubbinz 5:19PM (5/02/2009)
@Aprime: Drag racing at a drag track with police and safety crew present is illegal? News to me. Also, the cops say right in the story that it is cutting down on illegal street racing and they are pleased with the program's results. Reading is fun!
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xist3nc3 11:05PM (5/03/2009)
it is, you should give it a try sometime. He was obviously replying to the post by paul about undercover cops attempting to get people to street race in order to ticket/arrest them.
Rambo 5:44PM (5/02/2009)
You missed his point completely. He's talking about stopping at a stoplight, having some ricer pull up next to you, and try and get you to race. Then, as soon as you do, putting up lights and sirens, and arresting you. You raced when you ordinarily might not have. He's not talking about the track racing at all.
Reading is fun, but understanding what you read is even better!
Aprime 5:45PM (5/02/2009)
^
LoneWolf 5:45PM (5/02/2009)
Very good idea!
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RedGubbinz 6:01PM (5/02/2009)
Damnit, you're right...didn't notice the reply arrow and figured he was talking about the article. Reading is still fun, paying attention to indentations is right awesome!
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Fritz 6:06PM (5/02/2009)
"Police officers around the country routinely put their lives on the line in an effort to keep our streets safe. "
Hahahaha... Man, slow news day. A little satire is just what this place needs.
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larry a 6:50PM (5/02/2009)
And right around the corner from that dragstip is just about where everyone street races in SoFLA
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n0thx1ng 4:25AM (5/03/2009)
Right around the corner? More like right in front of the entrance!
Countyline Drag sits right off of US27, where everyone races.
larry a 12:54PM (5/03/2009)
LOL yep you know, I hate countyline 1/8th mile b/s